Further to my post on getting a referral to a respiratory clinic I handed in my sputum sample today and toddled off to my local hospital to have the agreed x-ray. Admin staff at the x-ray dept had no trace of my GP's referral - what a surprise! On phoning my GP practice they were informed my GP was not at work today but more worrying there was no mention of any x-ray requested or discussed on my notes. However at least a referral had been made to the chest clinic.
So, I will have to go back to see my GP tomorrow to discuss her omission / error. Right now I'm hopping mad but also concerned that my medical notes and my discussion of my health is not being recorded correctly. Wondering if this is a discussion I should be having with the practice manager at the surgery? Or do I give this GP the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it will depend on her response tomorrow? Not sure as I'm just so emotional these days - so tired of being unwell all the time and it was such an effort to just get myself to the hospital today only to be turned away.
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Marymary13
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Communication is appalling. When I was in our local hospital last April I was horrified to discover that although it is now paper free, (something I approve of being somewhat of a granny-geek) they couldn’t access anything from my GP practice, from the hospital where my consultants are, from the Sheffield hospital where I have some tests done or the Royal Brompton. They had to rely on the flesh and blood creature in the bed: me. Luckily they accepted what I said, and I now have all the letters, test results on my phone. I also read that we should complain and we will get better service when we do, rather than being afraid of repercussions. So, yes, complain to the practice manager.
Thank you Katinka46 for your response. Communication is atrocious. When I had a heart attack 3 years ago and was in a specialist hospital my notes from them could not be accessed by my local cardio dept so I got to keeping my discharge wallet with all notes every time I had a medical appointment.
Will have to start doing this for my COPD. Yes, I probably will submit a complaint , if anything not recording discussions on my health and agreed actions amounts to negligence. Will keep you updated on my GP visit tomorrow. x
When one of my consultants referred me to the RBH I was delighted that he wrote: “I am sending you all the documents that we have but I am aware that there are gaps but Kate will be able to fill you in.” And I did.
Do not worry too much, you have been referred to the Respiratory Clinic and the Consultant will order any X-rays, CT Scans or any other tests that he/she thinks that you might require, or refer you to another dept. as well if needed.
The consultant/s will write to your GP to tell her the drugs that you will need to treat your condition, ask to be copied in on any letters for your own records and/or enquire if there is an online medical record service that you can use.
Hi, read your post, so sorry you have not yet had the xray that would help decide what you have. Your breathing pattern may have been enough for the GP to make the referral, assuming the hospital would do one. You may very well be annoyed and getting to the hospital may have been a trauma but you are still able to move around which is a saving grace.
Thank you IKeith for your reply. Yes I am fortunate that I am still able to move around. I think what worries me most is I was diagnosed just under 2 years ago with COPD and I feel I have deteriorated quite a lot since then with lots of chest infections. I do try to do a lot of walking, eat healthy food and try to do my breathing exercises every day. I think having an x-ray would also give me peace of mind there is nothing else going on.
Anyway on a more positive note, a visit to my GP practice this morning got my referral sorted and an apology from my GP. So, I've now had my x-ray and a week to wait for the results.
I am most grateful to yourself and other members who have responded to my concerns and offered some very good advice and support. Thank you all.
Hi again, glad to hear you are still doing the exercises, the chest infections do knock back but as long as you get back up and fight them that has be a good positive thing to do.
Keep going at it, it'll soon be summer and your walking shoes will want an outing.
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Results of recent X-ray-Early signs of COPD non acute 
First visit to restpertery clinic 
Lower respiratory tract infection 
Transferred to Respiratory unit & holed up there 
Never ending respiratory infections
